Carrier for a bend-forming conveyor

ABSTRACT

A track supports and guides a bendimparting conveyor carrier vehicle along a path determined to provide flexible hose slack to mining machinery moving along a mine floor. Powered cable means connect the vehicle with an anchor connected to the mine, the cable means cooperating with the mining machinery to position the vehicle relative to a stationary anchor. In one embodiment, rigid pipes are laid in parallel juxtaposition to a relay station which provides fluids to the flexible hoses. These parallel pipes are used as the track to support the vehicle.

United States Patent 1191 Umphrey et al.

July 8, 197 5 CARRIER FOR A BEND-FORMING CONVEYOR inventors: Ronald W. Umphrey; David L.

McCain, both of Ponca City, Okla.

Continental Oil Company, Ponca City, Okla.

Filed: May 15, 1974 Appl. No.: 470,037

Assignee:

us. (:1. 137/344; l37/355.l6; 302/14 1111. C1. 365g 53/30 Field of Search 137/344, 355.16, 355.17;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1957 Touton 137/344 Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William J. Miller 5 7 ABSTRACT A track supports and guides a bendimparting conveyor carrier vehicle along a path determined to provide flexible hose slack to mining machinery moving along a mine floor. Powered cable means connect the vehicle with an anchor connected to the mine, the cable means cooperating with the mining machinery to position the vehicle relative to a stationary anchor. In one embodiment, rigid pipes are laid in parallel juxtaposition to a relay station which provides fluids to the flexible hoses. These parallel pipes are used as the track to support the vehicle.

11 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 50196465 SEPAPA 7'0? SHEET MTEWTFH 81975 Ffl CARRIER FOR A BEND-FORMING CONVEYOR CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Related subject matter is disclosed in a co-pending application entitled, Conveyor for Flexible Slurry Hose" by the same inventors herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates generally to improvements in a transportation system involving flexible hoses leading to a moving machine, and more particularly. but not by way of limitation, to an improved apparatus and method of handling the flexible hoses leading to an advancing or retreating mining machine and its accompanying mobile injection station.

2. Description of Prior Art A discussion of coal mining techniques may be found in the patent to Reichl, U.S. Pat. No. 3,260,548. That patent teaches a method and apparatus for continuously mining and transporting coal from a mining machine to a terminus located remote to the mining machine. The underground seam of coal is mined by cutting a series of rooms formed in a manner that leaves pillars therebetween. To gain access to the area whereat rooms are to be cut, entry passages are cut from a terminus or mine entry and a mining machine is passed therethrough enroute to the prospective room areas.

The mining machine cuts the coal ore from the mine face, then delivers the ore to the mobile injection station, which pulverizes the ore and forms a slurry of the pulverized coal ore with water. The slurry is subsequently piped from near the mining face to a remote processing point, which is usually located outside the mine. The hoses carrying water to the mobile injection station, and slurry therefrom, lead from outside the mine to the mining face via the prepared passageways. In order that the mining machine will not be restricted by the supply hoses, at least a portion of the water and slurry hoses comprise flexible hose lines that enable the mining machine to advance or retreat free of the influence of the hoses.

This method of coal mining has presented the problem of maintaining and regulating the length of the flexible hoses leading to the mining face. That is, as the mining machine advances, the flexible hoses and mobile injection station must follow the machine freely. On the other hand, as the mining machine retreats, the flexible hoses must be controllably withdrawn in order to permit the machine freedom of movement. As shown in the patent to Reichl, the usual practice is to provide a series of loops to regulate the slack of the flexible hoses to the mobile injection station.

The inventors herein have previously suggested the use of a loopor bend-forming conveyor disposed within a lateral passageway and supporting the flexible hoses by a plurality of wheeled carts. The flexible hoses are maintained in the lateral passageway in a manner that takes up the slack of the flexible hoses in an unused portion of the passageway. This method and apparatus is described in the related application as recited above. In the use of this technique of regulating flexible hose slack, there is a need to controllably move the loop or bend-forming conveyor within the lateral passageway of the mine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a system for transporting a slurry from the vicinity of a mining machine moving upon the floor of the mine followed by a mobile injection station which is connected to at least one flexible hose that is supported by a plurality of wheeled carts or the like spaced along the length of the hose and pivotally interconnected. The slack in the flexible hose is regulated to the mobile injection station by the provision of an elevating conveyor movably supporting the hose and carts off the mine floor and imparting a bend in the hose, and a vehicle supporting the elevating conveyor is movably supported on track means. A powered hoist and cable means connect to the vehicle and to a stationary anchor point on the mine for moving the elevating conveyor along the track means as required to maintain proper slack to accommodate the advancing or retreating mining machine. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for regulating the slack and flexible hose connections to a moving machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for moving and guiding a bend, imparting carrier vehicle cooperation with an advancing or retreating machine for regulating slack in a flexible hose leading to the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for powering the retreat of a flexible hose leading to retreating mining machinery in a mine passage.

Other objects and advantages of the present inven tion will be evident in the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I shows in diagrammatical form the slurry and water transportation system contemplated by the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical view showing the operation and layout of the elevating carrier and vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the elevating conveyor and vehicle of the present invention performing the function of imparting a bend in the flexible hoses.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the conveyor carrying vehicle of the present invention having the details of the carrier omitted therefrom.

FIG. 6A is an alternative rail layout for the track used in the present invention, and FIGS. 68 and 6C show another track arrangement.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatical view of the transportation system contemplated by the present invention wherein rigid pipes are used for the track.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatical representation of the present invention equipped with track wheels to ride upon parallel rigid pipes.

FIG. 9 is an alternate motive means for the vehicle of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 1 THROUGH 5 Referring to the drawings in general, and particularly to FIG. 1, shown therein is a diagrammatical view of the system of mining contemplated by the present invention. The mining machine has previously cut a series of rooms 12, and is in the process of cutting the room 14. The laterals l6 and the entry passages 18 have been cut to gain entry for the mining machine 10, the mobile injection station and the hose 20. Rigid pipes 22 and 24 extend from outside of the mine to a relay station 26 which can serve as a pressure booster station as necessary for the fluids passing through the pipes. Hose is shown as a single hose, but as will be clear below, this is a double hose placed over and under, and which is shown as hose 20 in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration. Hose 20 is a flexible hose leading from the connection point 28 at the relay station 26 through the lateral passageways l6 and one of the entry passageways 18 to connect at point 30 to the rear of mobile injection station 15.

As machine 10 advances in its progress of forming room 14, hose 20 is pulled in the direction 32 by the power of the advancing machine 15. In the process of removing coal ore from room 14, machines 10 and 15 must at times move in the reverse direction, whereupon hose 20 must be pulled by other means in the direction 34 in order to regulate the slack of hose 20 to machine 15, and thereby free the machines in their movement relative to the flexible hose.

The means of pulling the flexible hose 20 in the direction 34 cooperatively as machine 10 retreats is that a bend or loop 36 is imparted to the flexible hose 20, in the manner described below, and a portion 38 of hose 20 is pulled along the lateral passageway 16. As will be understood, the movement of portion 38 of hose 20 in direction 34 must be performed in cooperation with the retreat of machine 10 in a manner that sufficient hose is provided to the machine without causing excessive pulling action on the machine. On the other hand, portion 38 of hose 20 must be sufficiently moved in direction 34 so as to take up the slack and keep it out of the way of retreating machine 15.

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatical view of loop 36 and of the apparatus of the present invention for moving it along lateral 16. The present invention contemplates the flexible hose 20 being supported on wheeled carts 40 that are interconnected by connecting links 42 which are connected with each other and to the carts by the hinge joints 44.

FIG. 3 shows an elevation of some of these carts and links. Carts 40 and links 42 are known in the prior art to this invention, and need not be described in detail herein for purposes of this disclosure. It is sufficient to say that the purpose and arrangement of the wheeled carts 40 and links 42 are such that the flexible hoses 20 are enabled to maneuver in a bending configuration in a generally horizontal plane upon the floor of the mine.

As shown in FIG. 3, the loop 36 in flexible hose 20 is achieved by the use of an elevating conveyor 46 that movably engages carts 40 and links 42, elevates them, transfers them about an arcuate section thereof, and returns the carts and links to the mine floor. In other words, flexible hose 20 is supported along its length by the wheeled carts 40, and therefore may be pulled along the mine floor. In order to double hose 20 back along the lateral passageway 16 as shown, the elevating conveyor 46 imparts a loop or bend 36 in portion 38 of hose 20. For an understanding of how the conveyor operates, a plan view is provided in FIG. 4. Conveyors of this type are known in the art and need not be described in detail for the purpose of this disclosure. An improved conveyor is shown in a copending application by the present inventors. Generally speaking, these conveyors have a U-shaped configuration with extending legs 48 that slope upward from just off the mine floor at the tips 50 and unite with an elevated arcuate portion 52. Referring once more to FIG. 3, the conveyor 46 engages the carts 40 and links 42 underneath, and the flexible hose 20 passes over and around the arcuate portion 52 to the leg 48 where the hose 20 is returned to floor level.

A conveyor carrier vehicle 54 is provided to support elevating conveyor 46. Vehicle 54 comprises a longitudinal platform 56 having a front portion 58 and a trailing portion 60 connected by V-shaped intermediate portion 63. Connected to the leading edge of front portion 58 is the support cart 64. A support cart 66 of the same design is supportingly attached to the back edge of the trailing portion 60 of the platform 56. The support carts 64 and 66 comprise box member 68 and the track wheels 70. Each pair of wheels 70 are mounted to axles 72 passing through appropriately placed apertures in box 68. It is preferable that each pair of track wheels 70 be spaced apart a distance required to rollingly fit standard width track 74, which comprises a pair of rails 76 placed in parallel juxtaposition on the ties 78. It will be understood that the shape of the wheels 70 and the corresponding shape of the track members 74 are not critical to the invention herein, but may be conveniently selected. However, it has been found in practice that the use of standard width track, which runs between 42 and 48 inches, frequently allows the use of onhand rail stock at the mine. It will be understood that the details of construction of support carts 64 are also not essential to the invention herein. The embodiment of the support carts 64 that is herein shown permits the use of conventional structure for such parts as bearings, braking, and lubrication.

Supporting the elevating conveyor 46 and connected to the platform 56 by means of the column members 78 is the sloped platform 80, which is generally conformant to the U-shape of the conveyor 46. At the trailing ends 82 of ramp 80, a skid 84 is attached to the ramp for stabilizing it under the weight of hose 20, carts 40, and links 42. The design of the skid 84 is not critical, as its sole purpose is to provide outboard support to the ramp and consequently to conveyor 46. In the form shown in FIG. 5, skid 84 is a configured pipe shaped to have a lower portion 86 making dragging contact with the floor of the mine.

Shown in FIG. 5, mounted to the upper surface 88 of support cart 64, is a powered cable hoist or winch 90. Hoist 90 includes a rotatable drum 92 that has an axle 94 bearingly journaled in appropriately placed apertures located in the pair of upright plates 96 extending from surface 88. Although details of construction are not shown, gear means at 98 are provided to selectively turn the drum 92 by means of motor 100. A cable 102 is partially wound on the drum 92 and extends there from through a polished aperture located in the guide 104 located near the center of the forward edge of cart 64 on surface 88.

Returning to FIG. 2, the cable 102 has a hooking member 106 at the end of the cable not connected to drum 92. As shown in FIG. 2, cable 102 is extended and hooked in the manner shown to an anchor 108 that is securedly attached to the mine. Anchor 108 may be a roof and floor jack of conventional design, or may be a crossjack member placed angularly in known manner across the lateral passageway 16. The form of anchor 108 is not essential to the invention herein and the type of anchor used is left to the discretion of the system operator, as the varying conditions encountered may require.

It will be clear that the description of the powered hoist 90 given above describes a tensioned cable means whereby the vehicle 54 is moved along the track 74 by attachment of the cable 102 to anchor 108, and engaging motor 100 in a takeup mode of drum 92.

The location and spacing of the track wheel 70 is not essential to the present invention. Rather, a large number of design choices are available to fit the needs of a particular application. For example, track wheels could be placed outboard of vehicle 54 so as to support the ramp 80. Or such wheels could be placed advantageously for a more even distribution of weight, and various track designs could be used, such as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C. FIG. 6A shows three rails 110 spaced on ties 112 so that the outside rails are maintained a standard distance 113 (42 to 48 inches) from the center rail. FIG. 6B shows a pair of standard tracks placed in overlapping juxtaposition such that the standard measurement I20 exists between the rails 114 and between the rails 116, all of which are attached to the common ties 118. FIG. 6C is yet another track arrangement wherein four rails 122, 124, 126 and 128 are a standard distance I30 apart as they are attached to ties I32, providing three pairs of rails; that is, pairs 122, I24; 124, I26; and 126, 128. These are just a few examples of possible rail arrangements, as the possibilities are numerous.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. I THROUGH 5 Returning to FIG. I once again, it will be apparent that the purpose of track 74 in the lateral passageway 16 is to provide support and guidance to vehicle 54 as it travels in the directions 32 or 34. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, hose 20 is pullable on the floor of the mine because of the support given by wheeled carts 40 that are pivotally interconnected by links 42. The hose 20 and supporting apparatus extend from relay station 26 into a convenient lateral passageway 16, and a loop or bend 36 is imparted in portion 38 by means of the elevating conveyor 46 which slidingly elevates a portion of the hose, along with supporting carts 40 and links 42. Conveyor 46 clears the cart wheels off the mine floor, rotates them about its arcuate portion, and replaces the same to the floor of the mine.

In order to move vehicle 54in the direction 34, cable 102 is let out by means of controlling motor 100 via conventional means to unwind the cable from drum 92 to a length sufficient to attach to an anchor 108 that has been securedly connected to the mine for relative immovability. Cable 102 is connected to anchor 108 by looping around and connecting hooking member 106 about cable 102 in the manner shown, or in any convenient manner. The placement of vehicle 54 and tracks 74 are predetermined so as to provide ample space for moving hose 20 so as to take up all of the hose slack in lateral 16 by the proper sizing of portion 38 of the hose 20. For a given position of mining machine 10, vehicle 54 is pulled by way of winding the cable 102 onto drum 92 via power means of motor 100, until the desired tension or lack thereof is maintained between vehicle 54 and point 30 at the rear of machine 15. As machine 15 advances in room 14, and there arises a need for movement of hose 20 in the direction 32, cable 102 is allowed to freespin off drum 92, the vehicle 54 being pulled on track 74 by the tension in hose 20. As machine 15 is required to retreat, cable 102 is wound up on drum 92 at a sufficient rate to prevent slack in hose 20 from being in the way of such retreat.

It will be apparent that the tension in cable 102, as measured by any conventional manner, such as by a strain guage, may be used to regulate devices of known structure to control the rotation of the drum 92 such that a predetermined tension can be maintained in the hose 20 leading from the bend 36 to machine 15. Further, controlled braking of drum 92 may be incorporated to establish back pressure so as to impart a desired amount of pull, or tension, on hose 20.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 7 THROUGH 9 An alternative to the use of common rails for track 74 is shown in FIG. 7. Therein is shown rigid pipes 22 and 24 passed through one of the entry passageways l8 and positioned in parallel juxtaposition in the lateral passageway 16, terminating at the station 26, as before.

The flexible hose 20 is once again connected to the relay station 26 at point 28. In this embodiment, hose 20 is caused to loop back over the pipes 22 and 24 in the lateral passageway 16, and the vehicle 54 is equipped with track wheels that are shaped to ride on the rigid pipes 22 and 24, the pipes thereupon serving as the track 74'. Otherwise, the structure and operation of the present invention is unchanged from the description given above for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5.

The only modification to the pipes 22 and 24, from that used in standard construction, is that the sections of the pipe must be joined without the use of externally extending couplings, such as are oftentimes used for pipe jointing. This simply means that for smooth operation of track wheels 70' over pipes 22 and 24, serving as track 74', the pipe sections should be connected with joints having, e.g., welded construction or internal threading so that a smooth outer surface is presented for the travel of vehicle 54 thereover.

An alternate to the powered hoist of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9. Instead of a single attachment of cable 102, the cable is connected in endless fashion over the sheaves of pulley blocks and 132 that are conveniently anchored to the mine, or to anchor jacks in conventional fashion. A pair of capstans or drums I34, 136 are connected to one of the support carts 64, and at least one of the capstans is powered to pull the cart along the track 74. Slack in cable 102 is regulated by having one of the drums serve as a take-up or wrapping drum. Disengagement is achieved by providing appropriately spaced apart cable connection joints. Other alternative powered arrangements include, but are not limited to: two powered hoists, each to pull the conveyor vehicle 54 in one direction, and attached to the support carts 64, or remotely located with a cable attachment to the carts; rail wheels that are powered, for example by small motors disposed in carts 64.

It will be clear to any person having ordinary skill in the art of transportation systems involving the use of flexible hose connected to a moving machine, and particularly to mining machinery, that the disclosure herein features an improved and useful apparatus and technique for controlling the flexible hoses leading thereto. Changes may be made in the construction and of the arrangement of the parts or of the elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. in a system for transporting a slurry from a mining machine in a mine having a floor, and which includes at least one flexible hose supported by a plurality of carts spaced along the length of the hose and pivotally interconnected, and wherein the hose is required to be moved around a bend, the improvement comprising:

an elevating conveyor movably supporting the hose and carts off the mine floor in the bend portion of the hose;

a vehicle supporting the elevating conveyor;

guide means movably guiding the vehicle; and,

powered means connected to the vehicle and to the mine for moving the elevating conveyor along the guide means.

2. The improvement of claim I wherein the guide means includes at least one rail supported by the mine floor and the vehicle includes at least one rail wheel supported by the rail.

3. The system of claim 1 further characterized by at least one rigid slurry supply pipe transporting slurry from near a mining machine; the guide means is comprised of said rigid slurry supply pipe utilized as a vehicle supporting and guiding rail; and the vehicle includes at least one rail wheel supported by said rigid slurry supply pipe.

4. The system of claim 3 further characterized by at least one rigid water supply pipe transporting water to near said mining machine; the guide means is comprised of said rigid water supply pipe utilized as a vehicle supporting and guiding rail; and the vehicle includes at least one rail wheel supported by said water supply pipe.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the conveyor includes skid means connected to the conveyor stabilizing the conveyor relative to the mine.

6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the powered means comprises:

a rotatingly powered drum supported by vehicle;

a cable having one end connectable to the drum and wrappable there about; and,

anchor means connected to the mine connectable to the cable.

7. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the powered means comprises:

at least one cable connected to the vehicle; and,

powered hoist means connected to the mine wrappingly connecting to the cable.

8. A slack regulating system for flexible hose, comprising:

a plurality of carts supporting the hose, the carts pivotally interconnected for pivotal movement in a generally horizontal plane;

an elevating conveyor movably supporting a portion of the hose and the carts and imparting a bend in the hose;

a conveyor carrier vehicle supporting the elevating conveyor;

track means supporting the conveyor carrier vehicle;

an anchor connected at a stationary point removed from the conveyor carrier vehicle; and,

powered cable means connected to the conveyor carrier vehicle and to the anchor for moving the vehicle relative to the anchor.

9. In a system for transporting water to, and slurry from, the vicinity of a mining machine in a mine having a floor, and which includes at least one flexible water hose for transporting water and at least one flexible slurry hose for transporting slurry, the hoses supported by a plurality of carts pivotally interconnected, and wherein the hoses are required to be turned around a bend, the improvement comprising:

a track supported by the floor of the mine;

vehicle means movably supported by the track;

conveyor means movably elevating the carts off the mine floor, imparting a bend to the hoses, and returning the carts to the floor, the conveyor means supported by the vehicle;

an anchor connected to the mine at a point removed from the vehicle means; and,

powered cable means connected to the vehicle and to the anchor for pulling the vehicle along the track toward the anchor.

10. The improvement of claim 8 wherein the conveyor includes skid means connected to the conveyor stabilizing the conveyor relative to the mine.

11. The system of claim 8 is further characterized to include a relay station, the flexible water and slurry hoses connected thereto, and at least one rigid water pipe and at least one rigid slurry pipe connected to the relay station, and the improvement wherein the track is comprised of portions of the rigid water and slurry pipes supported by the mine floor in spatial parallel relationship.

a: a: a: a 

1. In a system for transporting a slurry from a mining machine in a mine having a floor, and which includes at least one flexible hose supported by a plurality of carts spaced along the length of the hose and pivotally interconnected, and wherein the hose is required to be moved around a bend, the improvement comprising: an elevating conveyor movably supporting the hose and carts off the mine floor in the bend portion of the hose; a vehicle supporting the elevating conveyor; guide means movably guiding the vehicle; and, powered means connected to the vehicle and to the mine for moving the elevating conveyor along the guide means.
 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the guide means includes at least one rail supported by the mine floor and the vehicle includes at least one rail wheel supported by the rail.
 3. The system of claim 1 further characterized by at least one rigid slurry supply pipe transporting slurry from near a mining machine; the guide means is comprised of said rigid slurry supply pipe utilized as a vehicle supporting and guiding rail; and the vehicle includes at least one rail wheel supported by said rigid slurry supply pipe.
 4. The system of claim 3 further characterized by at least one rigid water supply pipe transporting water to near said mining machine; the guide means is comprised of said rigid water supply pipe utilized as a vehicle supporting and guiding rail; and the vehicle includes at least one rail wheel supported by said water supply pipe.
 5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the conveyor includes skid means connected to the conveyor stabilizing the conveyor relative to the mine.
 6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the powered means comprises: a rotatingly powered drum supported by vehicle; a cable having one end connectable to the drum and wrappable there about; and, anchor means connected to the mine connectable to the cable.
 7. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the powered means comprises: at least one cable connected to the vehicle; and, powered hoist means connected to the mine wrappingly connecting to the cable.
 8. A slack regulating system for flexible hose, comprising: a plurality of carts supporting the hose, the carts Pivotally interconnected for pivotal movement in a generally horizontal plane; an elevating conveyor movably supporting a portion of the hose and the carts and imparting a bend in the hose; a conveyor carrier vehicle supporting the elevating conveyor; track means supporting the conveyor carrier vehicle; an anchor connected at a stationary point removed from the conveyor carrier vehicle; and, powered cable means connected to the conveyor carrier vehicle and to the anchor for moving the vehicle relative to the anchor.
 9. In a system for transporting water to, and slurry from, the vicinity of a mining machine in a mine having a floor, and which includes at least one flexible water hose for transporting water and at least one flexible slurry hose for transporting slurry, the hoses supported by a plurality of carts pivotally interconnected, and wherein the hoses are required to be turned around a bend, the improvement comprising: a track supported by the floor of the mine; vehicle means movably supported by the track; conveyor means movably elevating the carts off the mine floor, imparting a bend to the hoses, and returning the carts to the floor, the conveyor means supported by the vehicle; an anchor connected to the mine at a point removed from the vehicle means; and, powered cable means connected to the vehicle and to the anchor for pulling the vehicle along the track toward the anchor.
 10. The improvement of claim 8 wherein the conveyor includes skid means connected to the conveyor stabilizing the conveyor relative to the mine.
 11. The system of claim 8 is further characterized to include a relay station, the flexible water and slurry hoses connected thereto, and at least one rigid water pipe and at least one rigid slurry pipe connected to the relay station, and the improvement wherein the track is comprised of portions of the rigid water and slurry pipes supported by the mine floor in spatial parallel relationship. 